September Heatwave: Rancho Santa Margarita, Hit the Beach this Weekend

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Are you ready for a September heat wave, Orange County? It will be a perfect beach weekend, just remember to bring your sunscreen.

Tomorrow's ultraviolet index level in the Rancho Santa Margarita area will be just below 8 on Saturday, and over 8 on Sunday according to the National Weather Service.

The reading indicates what the UV exposure is expected to be at noon, when the sun's rays are at their strongest. A high exposure level reading of 7-9 means that a person could be sunburned in 7-8 minutes.

By way of comparison, a reading of 0-2 indicates a minimal exposure level, and very fair skinned people could become sunburned in 30 minutes if not properly protected. A reading of 3-4 is considered a low exposure level, reducing the danger range for those with fair complexions to 15-20 minutes if not protected. A moderate exposure level of 5-6 indicates that a person with a fair complexion could be safe from sun burn for 10-12 minutes, unless protected.

A very high exposure level reading of 10, or greater, means a fair skinned person could suffer a sunburn in about four minutes if not protected.

Ultraviolet radiation is blamed for a host of health problems, including skin cancer and cataracts.

Sunny skies are forecast in this weekend, along with highs of 73 in San Clemente; 75 in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach; 79 in Mission Viejo; 80 in Irvine; 82 in Fullerton and Anaheim; 83 in Yorba Linda, and 88 in San Juan Capistrano.

Rancho Santa Margarita temperatures will be 92 on Saturday, 99 on Sunday, and 102 by Monday.

Temperatures will climb Saturday, then keep climbing until Tuesday, when a downward trend will get underway in several communities.

City News Service contributed to this report.